March 30, 2007

ALL MOBBED UP WITH NO PLACE TO GO:

Rudolph W. Giuliani told a grand jury that his former chief investigator remembered having briefed him on some aspects of Bernard B. Kerik's relationship with a company suspected of ties to organized crime before Mr. Kerik's appointment as New York City police commissioner, according to court records.

Mr. Giuliani, testifying last year under oath before a Bronx grand jury investigating Mr. Kerik, said he had no memory of the briefing, but he did not dispute that it had taken place, according to a transcript of his testimony.

Mr. Giuliani's testimony amounts to a significantly new version of what information was probably before him in the summer of 2000 as he was debating Mr. Kerik's appointment as the city's top law enforcement officer. Mr. Giuliani had previously said that he had never been told of Mr. Kerik's entanglement with the company before promoting him to the police job or later supporting his failed bid to be the nation's homeland security secretary.

People really, really like Rudy. And all the negative stories in the world ain't gonna change that. The media can shape opinions when people don't have any preconceived ideas, so that they'll be able to destroy Mitt and give Barack a boost, but when it comes to changing an opinion once it's settled in someone's mind, they just don't have much power. That's why either Rudy or McCain is going to beat Hillary.

Work? You don't have to work to find the dirt on him. When your own campaign is warning how weird you are and how you can't withstand Republicans finding out who you are and what you believe all press is bad press.

I suggest you read Fred Siegel's Prince of the City, about Giuliani's years as Mayor. Was Giulini perfect? No. But his enemies in the city were all the right enemies, including Al Sharpton, the unions, and the New York Times. He fought them every day, and beat them. As to the social issues...we'll see where things end up, but my immediate judgment is that Giiliani's instincts are traditionalist and that he reacts poorly to most of the progressive catechism.

"Come right in, Mr. Keating - we have a lot to talk about. Senator Cranston has told me so much about you, and my colleague Senator DeConcini recommended you to me".

I can almost hear McCain asking Keating if he has met with John Murtha yet.

Rudy may or may not be the best candidate. Thompson is clearly the choice the Democrats fear. But Bernie Kerik is an issue for the crazed left in NYC alone, the prissy media, (and for the few remaining friends of Judith Reagan, if there are any left).

Carrying the water for McCain and the NYT ill becomes you.

Although if your strategy is to annoy primary voters so that they vote Giuliani just to spite you - brilliant!